PRE-SEASON MATCH - STEVE MOORE MEMORIAL TROPHY
TUESDAY 19TH JULY 2016
VERWOOD TOWN 1 WIMBORNE TOWN 2

Kicking off .. Tom Jackson .. Matt Gilham .. James Murray .. Zacc Phelps .. Liam Donachy .. Russell Dyer .. James Bergin .. Brad Goddard .. Carl Foster .. Matt Head .. Pepe Smith.

Splinters .. Pat Barnes .. Martin Smith .. George Thomas .. Chris Bailey .. Craig Gerrard .. Kris Anderton

Holidays and injuries prevented a bigger squad that would have been useful in view of the sweltering heat.

Wimborne sprung their first attack down the left. Gilham read it well and a strong tackle put the ball into Gilham's care. Donachy, continuing his impressive start to the season took Gilham's pass and a switch left provided Pepe Smith with a chance to open up an opportunity for a shot. Excellent cover in the Wimborne ranks closed access and the ball finished up being cleared.

Back came Wimborne to try a snap shot testing Jackson. A good low catch took care of the threat and a throw sparked a counter attack. Pepe Smith made ground and on the edge of the area cut the ball back for Foster. A volley was on target but the ball was blocked by defenders and cleared.

It was a good entertaining game and a lot of effort was displayed despite the heat.

17 minutes and a slick Wimborne move cut through the middle. Dyer's tackle on the edge of the box stopped a shot but the rebound caused a penalty box scramble. Phelps blocked an attempt and then followed up finally shrugging off a couple of tackles to clear up field.

Wimborne had the edge in play but we held firm at the back. Murray did well to cut out a left flank raid and then found support from Bergin who took up the running from a line ball. Bergin's pass inside was intercepted and we found ourselves back tracking again.

33 minutes and we had pushed up following a free kick decision. The ball was pumped up field and dropped on the toes of Wimborne's answer to David Beckham. A classic high ball cleared Jackson and dropped into the net. 0-1. Unbelievable goal.

Although a goal down we got ourselves together and pushed on. Head and Smith worked the left flank finishing with a Head shot into the side netting.

44 minutes we pressed forward and a Foster link with Pepe Smith cut through Wimborne's back four giving Smith an opportunity to rifle the ball past the keeper. 1-1.

Half Time 1-1.

4 minutes had elapsed when Gavin Reeves went for a double substitution. Pepe Smith made way for Martin Smith and Pat Barnes came on for Matt Gilham.

Barnes had an instant impact winning a tussle in the middle of the park and releasing Bergin. A good cross was well caught by the keeper.

Head then turned his marker with 6 minutes gone and delivered a stinging shot the keeper did well to hold. It was a good opening spell for us but Wimborne's response was quick and decisive.

Good interplay in the middle of the park created space and a threaded ball found a runner. A shot from the edge of the box was on target but Jackson was equal to the effort and took a comfortable catch.

We had a spell of Wimborne possession before Goddard won the ball in a mid field tumble and whipped a pass wide for Bergin. Bergin went free and reaching the bye line put a deep cross into the box. Donachy had followed in and won a header that flashed over the angle of bar and post.

Wimborne pushed forward. Phelps made a great interception on the edge of the box preventing a shot and then Murray took ball and player over the line for a throw in.

Foster was busy up front with Head and Dyer probing and prompting to make openings. A good Wimborne defence prevented too many opportunities but one particular effort from Foster dipped just under the bar making the keeper take a brilliant catch.

16 minutes of the half gone and Goddard made way for Bailey. The Reeves/Anderton committee made subtle changes to the formation.

Barnes and Foster worked a passage through the middle finishing with Foster bringing out a super save from the keeper.

Wimborne hit back down their right and a cross ball onto the edge of the area was teed up for a volley. Donachy had read it well and a great tackle prevented Jackson from having to perform a death defying dive.

Bailey's strength was evident as he won a tackle on the line and then forced his way through a couple of challenges to deliver a great crossfield ball to Bergin. Bergins chip over the defenders gave a chance for Head but the ball finished up in the side netting.

Murray had moved up on the left and a couple of good runs and deliveries should have yielded but bodies in the box proved impassable.

4 minutes of the half left and Foster came off for Anderton to make an entry.

Wimborne worked the left flank and a cut back to the edge of the area was hammered for goal. Jackson brought off the save of the night flicking the ball over the bar. A Phelps and Donachy combination cleared the danger.

3 minutes left and a deep cross from the Wimborne left cleared our backs and fell nicely for a shot to be drilled past Jackson. 1-2.

The game and Steve Moore Trophy went to Wimborne on this occasion.

Result 1-2.